Under 12s Match Reports:
Crediton U12s 0 – 3 Heavitree Comets 19th September 2009
Glorious sunshine and a fantastic playing surface along with two teams both eager to play good passing football, meant this was hopefully going to be a great opening game to the 09/10 season for both sides and I don’t think anybody could say they were disappointed.
The opening 10 minutes of the game saw both sides adjusting to the full size pitch and with nothing much between the two sides in the opening exchanges Crediton came close to opening the scoring with a well placed shot in the 7th minute that was superbly held by Jack Wheaton the Comets’ goalie. Just before the 15 minute mark the deadlock was broken when Jonathan Kirk went on a mazy run from midfield after being provided the ball by Dan Foster who ran it out from defence. Kirk’s run saw him go from midfield, slicing through the Crediton defence to be met by the onrushing goal-keeper who he coolly side-stepped to slot the ball into the corner of the net.
The Comets continued to play some great passing football but were forced at times to defend deep and Jeff Angila on several occasions worked well keeping the backline in check to support Wheaton in goal. Kirk was almost in again on the half-hour mark and was only denied by some great goalkeeping from the Crediton keeper. With only moments of the first half remaining, Crediton came on strong and the thunderous shot from Paul Barnes forced Wheaton to make the first of many great saves. The Comets rode their luck and can think themselves fortunate to hold on to their 1-0 lead, which was how the first half ended.
The second half began with Crediton trying to force the issue and the Comets continuing to have defend and absorb the early pressure that Crediton were applying. With a little over 5 minutes of the second half played, the Comets broke out of their own half and began to get their passing game back together, which resulted in the Crediton defence giving away a throw-in which was sent over the back line by Elliott Murch and Kirk read the ball well as he ran through the back line and fired into goal to make it 2-0.
The game from this point ebbed and flowed from one end to the other and the cobwebs were well and truly dusted off from both sides. With around 20 minutes of the second half played Wheaton was again forced to make a tremendous save to prevent Crediton getting on the score sheet. It seemed that every time Crediton forged an attack, the Comets wanted to go one better, and with 23 minutes of the second half on the clock Kirk got his hat-trick after Jack Challice provided the ball when he came out the winner in a strong physical stage of the play. The finish that Kirk produced was probably the finest in the game, after firing right across the angles giving the keeper no chance.
With 8 minutes of the game remaining, Kirk was brought down by the keeper and the Comets were awarded a penalty. Christian Ellis stepped up to take the penalty and went for power with his strike, which came off the bar denying the Comets their fourth goal.
The game became a little scrappy in the closing moments but the score remained 3-0 to the Comets. A great team effort from the Comets and unquestionably Comets Man Of The Match: Jonathan Kirk.
Heavitree Comets 5 – 2 Stoke Hill Saturday 10th October 2009
The Comets first home game of the competitive season saw them fair well against a Stoke Hill team who’s season had started with mixed fortunes. The opening few minutes of the game saw both teams with chances to open the scoring, on what will probably be the biggest pitch any of the lads will play on this season.
It was in the 5th minute that the Comets took the lead after a great cross from Jeff Angila fell to the feet of William Gregory who stepped around the keeper before slotting home a cool finish to make it 1 – 0. The Comets kept the tempo high and were making lots of chances but couldn’t find the finish needed to extend the lead further. The next 20 minutes or so saw both sides come close and if it had not been for the great tracking back of Dan Foster, a timely intervention by Edward McKenna and a couple great stops by Jack Wheaton in goal, Stoke Hill would have equalised. But in the last minute of the first half Jack Challice doubled the lead with a great long range strike leaving the keeper stranded as it sailed over his head. H-T 2 – 0.
Stoke Hill came out all guns blazing in the second half and with only a two goal cushion it was important for the Comets not to let them get back in the game, the Comets absorbed the pressure well for the opening 8 minutes or so before a mazy little run by Jonathan Kirk saw him navigate his way between 3 defenders before unleashing a power strike that hit the top corner to make it 3 – 0, moments later Kirk could have had his second of the game, but fired wide with a snap shot after not realising he had plenty of time to walk or place the ball in the net.
For the 1st time this season the Comets were undone at the back allowing Stoke Hill to pull a goal back with a well taken finish. The 3 goal lead was restored moments later when Louis Phillips tricked the 1st of two defenders with his footwork, before leaping over the challenge of the second one to fire into the top corner making it 4 – 1, the game was now really open and the heat of the day was showing in some tired legs when Stoke Hill managed to pull back another making it 4 – 2. This only spurred the Comets on further as they finished the game strongly with another brilliant spell of passing from midfield that saw Phillips fire in another great goal, bending it around the keeper to make it 5 -2.
A well earned win for the Comets keeps them flying in 2nd place. Comets Man Of The Match: Louis Phillips.
Alphington 2-6 Heavitree Comets Saturday 24th October 2009
The Comets came into this game with a 100% record knowing full well it would be the toughest test of this season so far, and keeping their unbeaten record was going to be a tough call.
With only moments of the game played, Heavitree's attacking style saw them in the Alpha's box where they had two early penalty shouts denied before Alphington caught them on the break in the 3rd minute with a great passing move that resulted in a fine finish to beat Jack Wheaton. From the re-start both sides were pressing forward and playing some great football, which was at times interrupted by spells of panic on both sides, and in the 24th minute Jack Challice got a deserved equaliser for the Comets with a great finish, albeit that it was possibly from an offside position that went unnoticed by the Alphington linesman. The game continued to ebb and flow and two minutes before the half-time whistle Jonathan Kirk put the Comets in front with a great finish that was the result of Kirk and Challice linking well together up front. The final move of the half saw Jeff Angila sending in a corner that was met by the head of Louis Phillips who couldn't quite get enough purchase, resulting in the ball going wide.
The second half started with both teams upping the pace and either side looked capable of scoring. It was the Comets who did so first with Jack Challice's second of the game in the 6th minute of the second half, when he expertly lobbed the keeper from some distance out. Not to be out-done straight from the re-start the Alphas returned the compliment when their forward lobbed Wheaton to make it 2-3. Ten minutes into the second half a reckless challenge in the penalty area saw the Comets make it 2-4 after the penalty was awarded and coolly put away by Louis Phillips. The Alphas continued to press in an attempt to get back into the game but with less than 20 minutes to go their breakaway move broke down which resulted in the ball going to the hands of Wheaton, who hammered out a long ball that was flicked on by Christian Ellis to the feet of Jonathan Kirk who fired the ball over the keeper making it 2-5.
Although three goals behind, Alphington didn't look like a beaten side yet and a couple of great spells of play almost afforded them the opportunity to pull a goal back, but the Comets defence held strong and the last goal of the game fell to Louis Phillips who made it 2-6 with his brace after Billy Smith placed the ball into a crowded penalty area for Louis Phillips to slam into the top of the net.
Another great team effort and both sides should be proud of themselves in the way they played in a competitive but fair manner. Comets Man Of The Match: Jack Challice.